Multiple instrument distributed aperture sensor (MIDAS) for remote sensing

摘要: An innovative approach that enables greatly increased return from earth and planetary science remote sensing missions is described. Our concept, called Multiple Instrument Distributed Aperture Sensor (MIDAS), provides a large-aperture, wide-field, diffraction-limited telescope at fraction of the cost, mass volume conventional space telescopes, by integrating advanced optical interferometry technologies. All assemblies are integrated into MIDAS as primary payload, thereby reducing resources, complexity, integration risks set back-end instruments (SI's) tailored to specific mission, such SI's now in development for missions. interfaces multiple redundancy enable synchronized concurrent investigations, with highly sensitive spectrometers. Passive imaging modes resolution sequentially each instrument, well somewhat lower acting concurrently on image, different wavebands. concept inherently nanometer-resolution hyperspectral passive without need any moving parts instruments. In its active using an laser source, LIDAR, vibrometry, illumination, various spectroscopies ablative, breakdown or time-resolved spectroscopy. The design also high-resolution long dwell times high altitudes, enabling real-time, wide-area dynamic changes planet surface processes.